Blog

Erdogan Fails to Understand the Protesters

By Emre Tuncalpposted on July 4, 2013 in ,

The demonstrations that started on May 27 as a peaceful call to preserve Istanbul’s Gezi Park quickly became the biggest protest movement Turkey has seen in decades. The spontaneous nature of the protests caught everyone by surprise. While careful Turkey observers had been aware of the grievances that ignited the unrest, no one could predict its scale, intensity, and persistence.

Shale Gas: A Game Changer

By Paula Iwaniukposted on June 30, 2013 in , ,

Shale gas has the potential to be a game-changer. As we enter the ‘Golden Era of Gas’, could it address the EU’s energy and climate goals by providing solutions for security of supply, economic competitiveness and climate goals? Or do supposed vast reserves in Poland pose more questions than answers?

Turkish Protests Are Unpredictable: A Dispatch From Taksim Square

By Tara Vassefiposted on June 27, 2013 in ,

Istanbul - “Of every two people you meet in Turkey, one of them voted for Erdogan” Mehmet a 31 year- old friend working in the tourism industry, explained to me. In spite of his statement, Mehmet was the first person I met who supported the polarizing Prime Minister after several weeks in the country.

Mehmet grew up in a small village outside of Antalya with no running water or electricity. After learning English and working in tourism for ten years, he worked his way up to a managerial position and recently bought a three-bedroom house for his young family.

Tipping the Balance of a Pivot

By Anne M. Gillmanposted on June 8, 2013 in ,

There is a noticeable wobble in the Obama Administration’s pivot towards Asia. While the member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have expressed support for the new stance, they share a common concern: that the pivot over-emphasizes regional security and only pays vague lip service to the region’s economic growth.

Developing a Strategy for Global Health

By Elizabeth Scott and Prudence Ukwishwatseposted on May 28, 2013 in ,

On May 16, Assistant Professor Jesse Bump, who teaches at Georgetown University’s Department of International Health, spoke to YPFP discussion groups (Public Health, Grand Strategy, and Africa) about grand strategies toward global public health and how they have evolved over time.

Food Aid as Public Diplomacy

By Jennifer Cuppposted on May 22, 2013 in ,

Food aid is a hot topic in the world of foreign policy these days. Though the U.S. Government’s Food for Peace program is housed in America’s international development agency, food aid is public diplomacy.